Why In News?

• Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) recently observed a clouded leopard in western Assam’s Manas National Park.

About the Wildlife Institute of India (WII):

=> It is an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

=> It was established at Dehradun in 1982.

Aims & Objectives:

• Build up scientific knowledge on wildlife resources.
• Provide information and advice on specific wildlife management problems.
• Develop as a regional centre of international importance on wildlife and natural resource conservation, etc.

About Clouded Leopard:

=> Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)  is a wild cat inhabiting forest habitat.

=> It has large, dexterous paws with specialized footpads for gripping branches.

=> Specialized ankle bones allow varied positions for climbing, including climbing headfirst down trees.

=> Another distinctive feature is its long canine teeth, resembling  Ice Age saber tooth tigers.

=> These canines are longer in proportion to skull size than those of any other species of wild cat.

=> While more closely related to big cats, the clouded leopard is frequently described as bridging the gap between big and small cats due to its smaller stature.

=> It has proportionately short legs and a long tail.

=> The coat is brown or yellowish-gray and covered with irregular dark stripes, spots and blotches.

=> Conservation Status: Vulnerable

=> The clouded leopard is categorised into two species:

• the Mainland clouded leopard distributed from central Nepal, Bangladesh, and Assam (eastern India) to peninsular Malaysia,
• and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) native to Borneo and Sumatra.